The Qur’an describes the Prophet ﷺas a ‘witness’ to the fact that he conveyed the message of good tidings for those who accept, believe and consequently follow him and warning of consequences for those who disobey. So, the message of Allah received through the Prophet comprised good news of Allah’s pleasure and warning of His displeasure.
“O Prophet, we have sent you as a witness and a deliverer of good news and warner.” (33:45)
The Qur’an while addressing people of the books, believers in revealed books, says that they find written in the Torah and the Gospel about Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless and grant him peace. Several scholars have pointed the description of the Prophet in earlier revealed books. These books also describe his functions and attributes. They are invited to honour the Prophet and follow the light brought by him. This would ensure their success.
“Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find written in what they have in Torah and the Gospel, who commands them what is right and forbids them what is wrong and makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil and relieves them of their burden and the chains which were around them. So, they who have believed in him, honoured him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him, they are successful.” (7:157)
One of the attributes of the Prophet was that he desisted from any harsh behaviour. This was one of the reasons for his success in keeping his flock together. Allah praised this attribute, saying that had he been hard in behaviour, his followers would have left him. Obviously, he had to bear patiently, at times, the unruly behaviours from people around and unbecoming and odd situations. He patiently bore the brunt. Allah suggested to him to forget their such attitudes and pray for their forgiveness from Him. However, even in those conditions, the Prophet was asked to consult with them as colleagues and take decisions in this manner. Once any decision was taken after such mutual consultations, all were asked to abide by that with trust in Allah.
“It is out of Allah’s mercy that you, O Prophet, have been lenient with them. Had you been cruel or hard-hearted, they would have certainly abandoned you. So, pardon them, ask Allah’s forgiveness for them, and consult with them in conducting matters. Once you make decision, put your trust in Allah. Surely Allah loves those who put their trust in Him.” (3:159)
The followers of the Prophet are called the middle-way community. This expression implies a number of required traits in them, including their function as witness to humanity about the message of good news and warning brought by the Prophet. So, they are witness to this message before mankind, as the Prophet was witness to them. Thus, there is a chain of witnesses. Allah made the Prophet His witness; the Prophet made his followers witness to the message and the middle-way community created by the Prophet is made witness to humanity at large
“Thus We made you a middle-way nation so that you be witness against people and so that the Messenger be witness against you.” (2:143)
One of the meanings of the expression middle-way community (Ummata Wasata) is a nation which treads the path of justice, avoiding any cruelty, tyranny or partisan attitude and behaviour. So judicious manners and guardians of truthfulness are called for from this specific community.
“So that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be a witness over humanity.” (22:78)
All the chain of witnesses will become live on the Day of Resurrection. One witness from every community will be asked to testify and the Prophet would finally give the final testimony. That would indeed be a hard day and the consequent pleasure of Allah, the good tiding part of the message, and His displeasure, the warning part of the message, will follow therefrom.
“How it will be when We shall bring a witness from every community and bring you over them as a witness.” (4:41)
This system of chain of witnesses is meant to ensure that people may not complain that the message, comprising the good news and warning, did not reach them.
“Lest you should say ‘there did not come to us any bearer of good news nor any warner.” (5:19)
If the believers remain true to their beliefs, they are ensured success by the Lord.
“Give good news to the believers that they are on a sure footing with their Lord.” (10:2)
The Qur’an used the expression sure-footed (Qadama Siddiqe) in this verse. Scholars have described several meanings to it. The firmness of good outcomes and the surety of the success, severally, for them is a result of their relationship with the Prophet as his followers and bearer of the faith and practices emanating from him. The Prophet, on the Day of Judgement, will give witness before Allah and intercede before Him in their favour.